THE CHURCH OF ROME NOT INFALLIBLE. 67

He then fetched Agnes, and introduced her to Miss De St. Croix, and they both joined in urging her to remain to tea: but she was obliged to decline, fearing lest her aunt might wonder at her prolonged absence. She therefore bade adieu for that evening, leaving Mr. Hope greatly interested in her state, and in the slight sketch of her previous history, which she had given him.

When Agatha next met Mr. Hope, after a few preliminary remarks, the conversation turned on the alleged infallibility of the Romish Church.

"My dear young friend," said Mr. Hope, "you say that you believe the Church of Rome to be infallible. How do you prove this?"

"By several passages of Scripture. For instance, the declaration of Christ, that the gates of hell shall not prevail against His Church.* The declaration of St. Paul, that the Church is the pillar and ground of the truth. And, also, Christ's command, in the 18th chapter of St. Matthew, and the 17th verse,to hear the Church."

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that

"I do not consider," replied Mr. Hope, these passages prove the infallibility of any Church; and if they did, how could it be known that it was the Church of Rome to which they applied? But I will answer each text separately. The first you bring forward-that in Matthew xvi. 16,—that the gates of hell shall not prevail against Christ's Church, contains a promise of perpetuity, not of in* Matt. xvi. 16. 1 Tim. iii. 15.

68 "THE PILLAR AND GROUND OF THE TRUTH."

fallibility. It is either a promise that though believers are to die, the Church will continue to exist by means of new converts; or, that even death shall not prevail against the members of the Church; but that they shall enjoy hereafter a joyful resurrection. As regards the Church being the pillar and ground of the truth the passage is sometimes supposed to be wrongly punctuated, and ought to be read in the following manner, when you will see it no longer refers in the least to the Church: That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God. The pillar and ground of the truth, and without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness:' &c. Now, I am myself disposed to follow this punctuation; but, even supposing the original punctuation to be correct, the 'pillar and ground of the truth,' as applied (in that case) to the Church, would only refer to the practice of exposing proclamations on pillars, as a support on which to fix them. So the Church may be said to hold forth the proclamation of the Gospel to the world."

Agatha looked thoughtful for a little, then said, "You have still that text in the 18th of Matthew to answer, Mr. Hope."

"Yes; but that goes no way in favour of your position: for, were the Church infallible, would it be resorted to as a last resource? Besides, this passage shows that the Church may be disregarded; which would prove that her infallibility may be of

"6 SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES."

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no practical use. You might as well say that all parents are infallible, because children are commanded to obey them; as that the Church is so, because its members are commanded to hear, or obey it."

"You think, sir, I suppose, that I am quite right in searching the Scriptures myself to find out what is truth? But I dare say you know that the priests of my Church think differently?"

"Yes, I am aware that they keep from poor souls the bread and water of life, contained in the Holy Bible. But they grievously sin in so doing. Aye, read the Scriptures, my dear young lady; and pray for the teaching of God's Holy Spirit, that you may understand aright what you read and you will get a clear view of things; and obtain a peace and joy of which no man can rob you. I am fully assured that every one, not only has a right to read the Scriptures, but is commanded to do so. See John v. 39;—what does the Lord Jesus say there?"

Agatha read the verse.

"Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me."

"How very plain!" she exclaimed. the priests say it should not be !"

"How can

"It is wonderful," returned Mr. Hope. Then he read to Agatha the following passage, commendatory of the conduct of the Bereans in reading the Bible. "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with

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THE BEREANS OF OLD.

all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

They were here interrupted in their conversation, a gentleman having called upon Mr. Hope on business of importance.

CHRIST, THE "ROCK," NOT PETER.

ᏟᎻᎪᏢᎢᎬᎡ X.

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AGATHA began the next conversation by asking why Protestants objected to the Pope being head of the Church, when he had derived this dignity from Peter, the first bishop of Rome ?

"What authority have you, Miss De St. Croix," asked Mr. Hope, "for considering the apostle Peter to have had any supremacy over the Church?"

"Christ's own words, in Matthew xvi. 18: 'thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church; ...And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.'”

"The word 'rock,"" Mr. Hope replied, "I do not consider as applying to Peter himself, but to the confession Peter had just made: 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Thus the word, 'rock,' applies to Christ himself, who is the only foundation on which the Church is built. For other foundation

can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus As to the keys being given to Peter, this

Christ.'*

* 1 Cor. iii. 11.